Point of Order

1st reading: House of Commons
Wednesday 6th September 2017 Commons Chamber

14:49

[Dan Carden (Liverpool, Walton) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. Following the announcement of eight jobcentre closures across Merseyside, my hon. Friends the Members for Liverpool, Wavertree (Luciana Berger) and for Liverpool, West Derby (Stephen Twigg) and I wrote to the Minister for Employment on 18 August asking him to consider colocation proposals drawn up by the Mayor of Liverpool and the city council to save some key services in our constituencies and, most importantly, to pause the closure plans and open a window of negotiation. Norris Green jobcentre in my constituency is due to close on 15 September, yet we have not had a reply from the Minister.

Mr Deputy Speaker, can you help me win a response from the Department for Work and Pensions on this important matter?

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

In fairness, that is not a point of order for the Chair, but I want to agree that it is unsatisfactory for Back Benchers not to get a reply. Whatever party we are from, we represent constituents who expect a reply. I hope the Government Front Bench will take that on board. I suggest that the hon. Gentleman has put it on the record, and people will reflect on it. I would like to believe that a letter will be winging its way as we speak.

Bill Presented

Terms of Withdrawal from EU (Referendum) Bill

Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)

Geraint Davies, supported by Mr David Lammy, Caroline Lucas, Thelma Walker, Daniel Zeichner and Tom Brake, presented a Bill to require the holding of a referendum to endorse the United Kingdom and Gibraltar exit package proposed by HM Government for withdrawal from the EU, or to decide to remain a member, following the completion of formal exit negotiations; and for connected purposes.

Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Friday 3 November 2017, and to be printed (Bill 103).